Good Morning Valentine started things off at the Beachland Ballroom. Their Motown-tinged Americana was followed by Detroit-based Blanche's haunting honky tonk noir. Headliner Alejandro Escovedo took the stage a bit later than expected because his cellist's instrument was damaged on the flight out from California. Escovedo launched into a few stripped down numbers as the call "Does anyone have an extra cello laying around?" circulated through the crowd. Turns out someone did have an extra cello laying around, and the rest of Escovedo's set soon went off without further setbacks. The adjoing, more intimate Beachland Tavern hosted Cleveland locals singer/songwriter Brian Straw and popsters Machine Go Boom, though the most captivating set of the night was from experimental doom folkers Young People. Elsewhere in town, Matisyahu played to a sold-out crowd at the Agora. Opening his set with a cover of the Police's "Message In A Bottle," the Hasidic reggae phenom worked the crowd into lather, and everyone from stanky dreadlocked tokers to Hebrew faithful (some waving the Israeli flag) got down to the dancehall riddims. At the House Of Blues, The Fray and Brandi Carlile also played to a sold-out crowd. De Novo Dahl, Dead Heart Bloom, Army Of Me, Apollo Sunshine, Aberdeen City, Nous Non Plus, the BellRays and the Dials are among the 25-plus bands playing the Festival Village stages at the RockHall between today and Sunday. The Goldmine National Record Show, free and open to the public, is sure to drain the wallets and fill the drool cups of vinyl collectors and music geeks from now until Sunday. Check out more Rock Hall coverage and photos at CMJ's staff blog, Relay.
